Slot machine with award-dependent animations

ABSTRACT

A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. After a player makes a wager, a plurality of symbol-bearing reels are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in a symbol array. If the symbol array includes a symbol combination that yields an award, the symbol combination is identified with an animation that varies with a level of the award. The animation may, for example, include a type of pay line encompassing the symbols of the symbol combination. The type of pay line varies with the level of the award.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to gaming machines and,more particularly, to a slot machine with award-dependent animations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines andthe like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for severalyears. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players isdependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning moneyat the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machinerelative to other available gaming options. Where the available gamingoptions include a number of competing machines and the expectation ofwinning on each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be thesame), players are most likely to be attracted to the most entertainingand exciting of the machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive toemploy the most entertaining and exciting machines available becausesuch machines attract frequent and extended play and hence increaseprofitability to the operator. Accordingly, in the competitive gamingmachine industry, there is a continuing need for gaming machinemanufacturers to produce new types of games, or enhancements to existinggames, which will attract frequent and extended play by enhancing theentertainment value and excitement associated with the game.

[0003] One type of gaming machine is a video slot machine. Instead ofutilizing mechanical reels driven by stepper motors, a video slotmachine includes a video display that depicts a number of simulatedreels. After a player makes a wager, the simulated reels are rotated andstopped to place graphical symbols on the reels in a symbol array. Anadvantage of video slot machines over mechanical slot machines is thatvideo slot machines can generally offer more entertaining game playthrough lively animations, play sequences, and bonus events. A bonusevent may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completelydifferent from the basic slot game, which is triggered by a specialstart-bonus symbol or combination of symbols in the symbol array.

[0004] Most animations on video slot machines occur during the bonusevents, which are generally triggered infrequently during a typical gamesession. The hit frequency for the bonus events is generally so low(e.g., once every 50 to 100 plays) that a player's gaming experience isessentially the same from one play to the next. This low hit frequencyis generally dictated by underlying math models used in the game toselect game outcomes. To the extent any animations occur on thesimulated reels, the animations are generally repetitive and can quicklylose their entertainment value over the course of a game session. Thestatic nature of the gaming experience can cause boredom among playersand deter new players from being attracted to the game. Also, playerswho wish to experience a bonus event may become frustrated during dryspells in which the bonus event is not triggered. Even if the bonusevent is eventually triggered, its duration is limited to the currentplay and another dry spell is likely to ensue at the conclusion of thebonus event.

[0005] Accordingly, a need exists for a slot machine that enhances thegaming experience of players through improved use of animations inconnection with the reels of a slot machine. Although such animationsare primarily intended for use with the simulated reels of a video slotmachine, the animations may also be used with the physical reels of amechanical slot machine if there is a display device or element fordepicting such animations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine isdisclosed. After a player makes a wager, a plurality of symbol-bearingreels are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in a symbolarray. If the symbol array includes a symbol combination that yields anaward, the symbol combination is identified with an animation thatvaries with a level of the award. The animation may, for example,include a type of pay line encompassing the symbols of the symbolcombination. The type of pay line varies with the level of the award.

[0007] Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of variousembodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a briefdescription of which is provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine embodying thepresent invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable foroperating the gaming machine;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a display image showing a reel symbol combinationidentified with a first animation and yielding an award at a first level(e.g., low credit amount);

[0012]FIG. 4 is a display image showing a reel symbol combinationidentified with a second animation and yielding an award at a secondlevel (e.g., medium credit amount);

[0013]FIG. 5 is a display image showing a reel symbol combinationidentified with a third animation and yielding an award at a third level(e.g., high credit amount); and

[0014]FIG. 6 is a display image showing a reel symbol combinationidentified with a fourth animation and yielding an award at a fourthlevel (e.g., bonus event).

[0015] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However,it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Turning now to the drawings and referring initially to FIG. 1, agaming machine 10 is operable to play a wagering game. The wagering gameincludes a basic video reel slot game that uses different animations todifferentiate reel symbol combinations that yield different levels ofwin amounts and bonus events. The gaming machine 10 includes a visualdisplay 12 preferably in the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquidcrystal display (LCD), plasma, or other type of video display known inthe art. The display 12 preferably includes a touch screen overlayingthe monitor. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is an“upright” version in which the display 12 is oriented verticallyrelative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a“slant-top” version in which the display 12 is slanted at about athirty-degree angle toward the player of the gaming machine 10.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable foroperating the gaming machine 10. Money/credit detector 16 signals acentral processing unit (“CPU”) 18 when a player has inserted money orplayed a number of credits. The money may be provided by coins, bills,tickets, coupons, cards, etc. Then, the CPU 18 operates to execute agame program that causes the display 12 to display five simulatedsymbol-bearing reels. The player may select a number of pay lines toplay, an amount to wager, and start game play via the touch screen 20 orthe push-buttons 14, causing the CPU 18 to set the reels in motion,randomly select a game outcome, and then stop the reels to displaysymbols corresponding to the pre-selected game outcome.

[0018] A system memory 22 stores control software, operationalinstructions and data associated with the gaming machine 10. In oneembodiment, the system memory 22 comprises a separate read-only memory(ROM) and battery-backed random-access memory (RAM). However, it will beappreciated that the system memory 22 may be implemented on any ofseveral alternative types of memory structures or may be implemented ona single memory structure. A payoff mechanism 24 is operable in responseto instructions from the CPU 18 to award a payoff to the player inresponse to certain winning outcomes that might occur in the basic gameor bonus events. The payoff may be provided in the form of coins, bills,tickets, coupons, cards, etc. The payoff amounts are determined by oneor more pay tables stored in the system memory 22.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, a basic video slot game is implemented onthe display 12 on simulated reels 30 that are rotated and stopped toplace symbols on the reels 30 in visual association with a number of paylines 32. In the illustrated example, the number of reels 30 is five andthe number of pay lines 32 is nine. The number of reels and pay linesmay, however, be varied to be more or less than the number illustrated.Also, the video display 12 may be replaced with a mechanical displayincluding a number of physical reels driven by stepper motors. Each ofthe pay lines 32 extends through one symbol on each of the reels 30.

[0020] Generally, game play is initiated by inserting money or playing anumber of credits, causing the CPU to activate a number of pay linescorresponding to the amount of money or number of credits played. In oneembodiment, the player selects the number of pay lines (between one andnine) to play by pressing a “Select Lines” key 34. The player thenchooses the number of coins or credits to wager on the selected paylines by pressing a “Bet Per Line” key 36. After selecting a number ofpay lines and a wager amount, the reels 30 may be set in motion bytouching a “Spin Reels” key 38 or, if the player wishes to bet themaximum amount per line, by using a “Max Bet Spin” key 40.Alternatively, other mechanisms such as a lever or push button may beused to set the reels in motion.

[0021] The CPU uses a random number generator to select a game outcome(e.g., “basic” game outcome) corresponding to a particular set of reel“stop positions.” The CPU then causes each of the simulated reels 30 tostop at the appropriate stop position. Video symbols are displayed onthe reels 30 to graphically illustrate the reel stop positions andindicate whether the stop positions of the reels represent a winninggame outcome.

[0022] A pay table identifies winning basic game outcomes (e.g., symbolcombinations resulting in an award of credits or a bonus event) and theawards associated with such outcomes. In one embodiment, the pay tableis affixed to the machine 10 and/or displayed by the video display 12 inresponse to a command by the player (e.g., by pressing a “Pay Table”button 42). A winning basic game outcome occurs when the symbolsappearing on the reels 30 along an active pay line correspond to one ofthe winning combinations on the pay table. A winning combination, forexample, could be three or more matching symbols along an active payline, where the award is greater as the number of matching symbols alongthe active pay line increases. If the displayed symbols stop in awinning combination, the game provides the award identified in the paytable for that combination. If the award is a number of credits, thegame typically multiplies that number of credits by the number ofcredits wagered on the winning pay line. In the illustrated example, thepay table screens and instructional text appear below:

[0023] Winning line pay combinations pay left to right only. [Logo] iswild for all symbols except [Money], [Tree], and [Acorn]. <LOGO> <Man>10000   [S][S][S][S][S] 300  [S][S][S][S][S] 500  [S][S][S][S] 80[S][S][S][S] 100  [S][S][S] 25 [S][S][S] 10 [S][S]  5 [S][S] <Dog><Moneybag> 200  [S][S][S][S][S] 120  [S][S][S][S][S] 60 [S][S][S][S] 50[S][S][S][S] 20 [S][S][S] 10 [S][S][S]  3 [S][S]

[0024] Winning line pay combinations pay left to right only. [Logo] iswild for all symbols except [Money], [Tree], and [Acorn]. <Pear> <Plum>80 [S][S][S][S][S] 80 [S][S][S][S][S] 20 [S][S][S][S] 20 [S][S][S][S]  5[S][S][S]  5 [S][S][S] <Apple> 80 [S][S][S][S][S] 20 [S][S][S][S]  5[S][S][S]

[0025] Only highest winner paid per winning combination. All line paysare multiplied by the line bet. Wins from left must occur on adjacentreels, beginning with the leftmost reel except for 3 [Acorn] winningcombination.

[0026] Money Scatter Pay: 3 or more Scattered <Money> awards the MoneyScatter. 200 [S][S][S][S][S]  25 [S][S][S][S]  5 [S][S][S]

[0027] Only highest winner paid per winning combination during MoneyScatter Pays. All Money Scatter Pay awards are multiplied by the totalbet.

[0028] Money Tree Bonus:

[0029] 3 [Money Tree] on an active pay line start the Money Tree bonus.Pick money to reveal awards, squirrels, or owls. Find the squirrelincreases the value of the money on the tree. Finding an owl removesmoney from the tree. The bonus ends when there is no more money on thetree.

[0030] Money Values:

[0031] Coins 5

[0032] Bills 10,15,20

[0033] Moneybags 30,40,50

[0034] Safes 60,70,80,90,100

[0035] All Money Tree Bonus values have already been multiplied by theline bet.

[0036] Plant a Money Tree Bonus:

[0037] 3 [Sapling] on an active pay line trigger the Plant a Money Treebonus.

[0038] Bonus pays awards 6-7 money bills that each pay between 5-100credits. If the plant sprouts an acorn, dog bone, or gold coin, a newtree grows. Up to three trees can be grown in the bonus.

[0039] All Plant a Money Tree Bonus values have already been multipliedby the line bet. The player may collect the amount of accumulatedcredits by pressing a “Collect” button 44. In the illustrated example,the winning combinations start from the leftmost reel and span adjacentreels, i.e., winning line pay combinations pay left to right only. In analternative implementation, the winning combinations start from eitherthe leftmost reel or the rightmost reel and span adjacent reels, i.e.,winning line pay combinations pay left to right and right to left.

[0040] Included among the plurality of basic game outcomes arestart-feature outcomes for triggering play of different bonus events.The bonus events may, for example, include the Money Tree Bonus and thePlant a Money Tree Bonus referenced in the above pay table screens. Astart-feature outcome may be defined in any number of ways. For example,a start-feature outcome may occur when a special start-feature symbol ora special combination of symbols appears on one or more of the reels 30.The start-feature outcome may require the combination of symbols toappear along an active pay line, or may alternatively require that thecombination of symbols appear anywhere on the display (i.e.,“scattered”) regardless of whether the symbols are along an active payline. The appearance of a start-feature outcome causes the CPU to shiftoperation from the basic game to the associated bonus event. In theillustrated example, a combination of three or more Money Tree symbolsalong an active pay line 32 triggers the Money Tree Bonus, and acombination of three or more Sapling symbols along an active pay line 32triggers the Plant a Money Tree Bonus.

[0041] In accordance with the present invention, the basic video slotgame uses different pay line animations to differentiate winning symbolcombinations that yield different levels of win amounts and bonusevents. For example, the game may identify a winning symbol combinationthat yields an award at a first level with a first animation; mayidentify a winning symbol combination that yields an award at a secondlevel with a second animation; may identify a winning symbol combinationthat yields an award at a third level with a third animation; and mayidentify a winning symbol combination that yields an award at a fourthlevel with a fourth animation. The levels may relate to credit amountswon and bonus events. For example, the first level may be a low creditamount (normalized by the line bet); the second level may be a mediumcredit amount (normalized by the line bet); the third level may be ahigh credit amount (normalized by the line bet); and the fourth levelmay be a bonus event. Also, the number of award levels may be less ormore than four.

[0042]FIGS. 3 through 6 depict examples of different pay line animationsthat may be used at the following four different award levels/tiers: anaward less than 40 credits per credit wagered (FIG. 3), an award rangingfrom 40 to 99 credits per credit wagered (FIG. 4), an award of 100credits or above per credit wagered (FIG. 5), and an award of a bonusevent (FIG. 6). The animations may become more extravagant as the levelof the award increases. This natural hierarchy in animations helps theplayer know when an extra special event, such as a higher credit amountor a bonus event, has occurred. The animations are also advantageous inthat they increase the entertainment value of the slot game, especiallyin the dry spells between bonus events.

[0043]FIG. 3 depicts a traditional pay line animation for identifying awinning combination of three Pear symbols 50 along an active pay line.According to the pay table, this combination yields an award of 5credits multiplied by the line bet. The traditional animation may, forexample, be a flashing solid pay line encompassing each of the Pearsymbols 50.

[0044]FIG. 4 depicts a first custom animation for identifying a winningcombination of four Dog symbols 52 along an active pay line. Accordingto the pay table, this combination yields an award of 60 creditsmultiplied by the line bet. The first custom animation may, for example,be a wavy pay line encompassing each of the Dog symbols 52.

[0045]FIG. 5 depicts a second custom animation for identifying a winningcombination of five Man symbols 54 along an active pay line. Accordingto the pay table, this combination yields an award of 300 creditsmultiplied by the line bet. The second custom animation may, forexample, be a sparkled pay line encompassing each of the Man symbols 54.

[0046]FIG. 6 depicts a third custom animation for identifying a“winning” combination of three Money Tree symbols 56 along an active payline. According to the pay table, this combination triggers the MoneyTree Bonus. The third custom animation may, for example, be a dashed payline encompassing each of the Money Tree symbols 56. The same or yetanother custom animation may be used to identify a winning combinationof three Sapling symbols along an active pay line which, according tothe pay table, triggers the Plant a Money Tree Bonus. Other customanimations may be used to identify symbols or symbol combinations thattrigger other bonus events, such as special right-to-left line pays andspecial scatter pays.

[0047] While the present invention has been described with reference toone or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art willrecognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0048] For example, animations for differentiating award levels may beused for any winning symbol combination, whether it pays as a line payor as a scatter pay. If the winning combination pays as a scatter pay(e.g., three or more scattered Money symbols), the animation may beapplied to a border encompassing each of the scattered symbols.

[0049] Further, the animations may be used with the physical reels of amechanical slot machine if there is a display device or element fordepicting such animations. The display device may, for example, providea video image superimposed over the reels. The animations are shown onthe video image. Such a display device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,517,433 to Loose et al. entitled “Reel Spinning Slot Machine WithSuperimposed Video Image,” which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

[0050] Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof iscontemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimedinvention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of conducting a wagering game,comprising: receiving a wager to play the wagering game; displaying anarray of symbols; and if the array includes a symbol combination thatyields an award, identifying the symbol combination with an animationthat varies with a level of the award.
 2. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding providing the award.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thesymbols in the array are randomly selected.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the displaying step includes rotating and stopping a pluralityof symbol-bearing reels to place symbols on the reels in the array. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the animation is a first animation whenthe award is at a first level, the animation is a second animation whenthe award is at a second level, and the animation is a third animationwhen the award is at a third level.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe animation is a first animation when the award includes a bonus eventand wherein the animation is a second animation when the award does notinclude the bonus event.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the level ofthe award relates to a credit amount won.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the level of the award relates to a bonus event being triggered.9. The method of claim 1, wherein the animation includes a type of payline encompassing the symbols of the symbol combination, the type of payline varying with the level of the award.
 10. A method of conducting awagering game, comprising: receiving a wager to play the wagering game;rotating and stopping a plurality of symbol-bearing reels to placesymbols on the reels in a symbol array; and if the symbol array includesa symbol combination that yields an award, identifying the symbolcombination with an animation, the animation including a type of payline encompassing the symbols of the symbol combination, the type of payline varying with a level of the award.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the level of the award relates to a credit amount won.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the level of the award relates to a bonusevent being triggered.
 13. A method of conducting a wagering game,comprising: receiving a wager to play the wagering game; displaying asymbol array; and identifying a winning symbol combination in the symbolarray with an animation that varies with a level of an award resultingfrom the winning symbol combination.
 14. A method of conducting awagering game, comprising: receiving a wager to play the wagering game;displaying a symbol array; and using different animations to animatewinning symbol combinations in the symbol array that yield differentlevels of an award.
 15. A method of conducting a wagering game,comprising: receiving a wager to play the wagering game; displaying asymbol array; identifying a first winning symbol combination in thesymbol array with a first animation, the first winning symbolcombination yielding an award at a first level; identifying a secondwinning symbol combination in the symbol array with a second animation,the second winning symbol combination yielding an award at a secondlevel; and identifying a third winning symbol combination in the symbolarray with a third animation, the first winning symbol combinationyielding an award at a third level.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe awards at the first, second, and third levels include at least oneof different credit amounts and a bonus event.
 17. The method of claim15, wherein the awards at the first and second levels include differentbonus events.
 18. The method of claim 15, further including providingthe award.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein symbols in the symbolarray are randomly selected.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein thedisplaying step includes rotating and stopping a plurality ofsymbol-bearing reels to place symbols on the reels in the symbol array.